Self-adjusting antirattle dovetail for doors



Nov. 22, 1932. R. G. MOORE SELF ADJUSTING ANTIRATTLE DOVETAIL FOR DOORS Filed D96. 16. 1929 I I N V EN TOR. RH YMDND E. Mama.

BY W/ ATTORNEY:

Patented Nov. 22, 1932 KENETEE STATES PATENT OFFICE RAYMOND G. MOORE, OF BRIBGEPOBT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BASSIGK COMEANY, OF BRIDG-EPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT SELF-ADJUSTING ANTIRATTLE DOVETAIL FOR DOORS Application filed December 16, 1929. Serial No. 414,548.

The present invention relates to improve ments inself-adjusting anti-rattle dovetails, particularly for auton'iobile doors, an object being to provide a device of triis character which will prevent the rattle usually resulting from the vibration and weaving of the doors, efiectively retaining the same against vertical movement while at the same time compensating for lateral movement and wear. In the usual type of dovetail a socket member is provided, having vertically yieldable dovetail members between which a wedge piece is engaged, and while these tended to dampen the vibration they did not effectively prevent it. Another object is to provide a device of simple construction, constructed of few parts, and which will be reliable and efficient in operation. It is particularly proposed to provide a device in which a socket member is provided with laterally adjustable resiliently supported dovetail members adapted to have a wedge member engaged between taem, the respective dovetail members being supported against vertical movement. it. further object is to provide a device of this character in which the dovetail member will. be protected from excessive wear and breakage, and may be made of a self-lubricating substance, such as fibre, to the end teat the device will have a long life, and the necessity for lubricating the same will be eliminated.

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawing, and these emr bodiments will be h ereinaftcr more fully described with reference thereto. and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the outer side of the dove-tail socket, according to the present embodiment of the invention, and which is shown mounted on the door frame.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the end of the door showing the wedge m mber employed mounted thereon, the door being shown in dotted lines. while the wedge member is shown in full lines.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the socket member with the cover plate removed.

Fig. 1 is a similar view showing the casing with the block members removed.

- Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the socket member.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the outer side of the wedge member.

Fig. 7 is'a front elevation of the socket member and showing the wedge member engaged therewith.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a modified form of socket member, with the cover plate removed.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, the device, according to the present embodiment of the invention, comprises a socket member adapted to be secured to the door frame within a cut-out recess 10, and consisting of a casing 12 of rectangular form, open at its forward side, and provided with a rectangular opening 13 in its outer end, that is, in the end. opposed to the closing movement of the door.

A pair of opposed block members 14 and 15, having opposed inclined faces 16 and 17 converging inwardly, are disposed within the casing, being engaged with the respective upper and lower walls of the casing, being also normally engaged with the outer end wall. Coil springs 18 and 19 positioned upon lugs 20 and 21 struck up from the inner end wall of the casing engage openings 22 and 23 in the inner ends of the blocks and press the same forwardly, at the same time permitting the blocks to be forced laterally inwardly.

A cover plate 2 1 is secured upon the open side of the casing by means of swedged-over lugs 25 formed upon the edge of the casing and engaged in slots in the plate, the plate extending above and below the casing and being provided with holes 26 for attaching the same to the door frame by 'means of screws 27. A tapered opening 28 is provided in the plate, its wide end being open and registering with the opening 13 in the outer wall of the casing, while its narrow end is slightly spaced from the inner edge of the plate. The inclined surfaces of the blocks,

in the forwardly pressed position, are projected beyond the edges of the openings 13 and 28, and are parallel to the edges of said opening 28, the opening being sufliciently large to permit the blocks to be pressed inwardly without obstructing the wedge receiving space between them.

In order to guide the lateral movement of the blocks, and retain the same against vertical displacement, horizontal grooves 29 are provided in the front and rear faces of the blocks which are engaged by horizontal ribs 30 pressed from the vertical rear wall of the casing 10 and the cover plate 24. The blocks may be of any suitable material, and, because of the protection against breakage afforded by the casing, may be of fibre or other suitable squeak-preventing self-lubricating material.

The Wedge member, which is secured to the edge of the door 31 comprises an attaching base 32 having screw holes 33, and a rigid projecting wedge-shaped projection 34: having inclined sides substantially corresponding to the inclination of the faces of the dovetail blocks.

The operation is as follows Vi hen the door is in open position the blocks are projected forwardly against the outer end wall of the casing, as indicated in Fig. 1. As the door is closed the wedge member 34 engages between the blocks, preferably contacting therewith before the door is completely closed, the complete closure of the door causing the blocks to be moved laterally against the pressure of the springs,

which hold the blocks snugly against the wedge member, while the inclination of the engaging surfaces is such that vertical pressure will not displace the blocks and cause vibration.

The door is provided with the usual latch, not shown, which engages behind a striker on the door frame, and the present device is such that it permits the door to close sufficiently to allow the latch to operate, and thereupon exerts an outward pressure on the door to force the latch bolt tightly against the striker.

Should the wedge member be out of alignment with the socket, due to sagging of the door, the independent movement of the respective blocks will permit them to adjust themselves to the wedge surfaces and perform their cooperative retaining function.

While I have shown the socket member on the door frame and the wedge member on the door it will be obvious that this arrangement may be reversed, if desired.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified form in which a leaf spring 35, having curved ends 36 and 37 engaging the inner ends of the respective blocks, performs the function of pressing the blocks forwardly.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing and opposed wedge engaging elements disposed in said casing and adapted to be moved laterally through engagement of said wedge member therebetween, resilient means adapted to oppose said lateral movement and laterally disposed means cooperating between the side Wall of said casing and the adjacent side walls of said wedge engaging elements adapted to prevent vertical movement of said wedge engaging elements.

2. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing and opposed wedge engaging elements disposed in said casing and adapted to be moved laterally through engagement of said wedge member therebetween, resilient means adapted to oppose said lateral movement, and laterally disposed rib and groove means cooperating between the side wall of said casing and the adjacent side walls of said wedge engaging elements adapted to prevent vertical movement of said wedge engaging elements.

Signed at Bridgeport, county of Fairlield, and State of Connecticut, this 6th day of December, 1929.

RAYMOND G. MOORE. 

